Man given ‘terminator-like’ prosthetic limb

Mr Ackland, 53, Royston, Cambs has been fitted with the Terminator-like carbon fibre mechanical hand which he can control with movements in his upper arm. The new Bebionic 3 Myoelectric hand, which is also made from aluminium and alloy knuckles, moves like a real human limb by responding to Mr Ackland’s muscle twitches.

The muscles twitches in his upper arm are detected by sensors that trigger one of 14 pre-programmed grips, mirroring human movements.

The different grip patterns include a clenched fist, a pointed finger and a pincer and a lighter and heavier according to how the user tenses their upper arm.

The robotic arm is so sensitive it means he can touch type on a computer keyboard, peel vegetables and even dress himself for the first time in six years.

Mr Ackland lost his arm when it became caught in an industrial blending machine at the Johnson Matthey smelting plant in 2006.

He is one of just seven people in the world to be given the arm by Leeds-based prosthetics company, RSLSteeper, as part of a four-month trial.